Rev. Karen G. Johnston, Ministerial Candidate, with Brenda Balon & Melinda Lee, Worship Associates
“To Be of Use: Finding Our Purpose”
Purpose. Alignment. Calling. There are many names to describe what it is to find the sweet spot of where our gifts overlap with the aching needs of the world. What does that look like for each of us? What does that look like when we come together? Come learn more about our Ministerial Candidate and her calling, as well as your own, through story, poetry, song, and the spark of coming together.
Join us for worship in person in the Sanctuary, or online. The livestream link and order of service will be shared at bit.ly/FUUSBWorship, or visit our YouTube channel.
And join us after the service this Sunday at 11:30:
Meet Rev. Karen & Share Your Tidbits About Burlington - in the Sanctuary & on Zoom
Outdoor Coffee Hour - in front of the Meeting House
While at the Meeting House, anyone is welcome to wear a mask. In the spirit of caring for each other, please stay home if you have any cold or flu symptoms. Thank you.
Children & Youth This Sunday!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Sunday, April 30
Families will begin in the Sanctuary together, where kids will get to experience their first Reflection For All Ages with our candidate, Rev. Karen! Afterwards, children of all ages are invited to leave for Faith Development activities which we are hoping will be outside, so bring a jacket! Parents and children can reunite at the outdoor coffee hour and the 5th/6th grade OWL class will begin at 11:30 in the Dix Room.
Online Spring Auction Ends Friday!
Nina Harrington, Spring Auction Committee
The online Spring Auction ends Friday, April 28 at midnight. Get your bids in so you don’t miss out on some exciting items: nature walks and bike rides, meals with UU friends, food items, gift certificates, vacation rentals and much more! Then join in the celebration on Saturday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m. at the Meeting House, where you will be able to meet our ministerial candidate while enjoying great music, food, drinks, raffles and live auction fun! Click on the link: auctria.events/FUUSBSpringAuction2023. If you have questions, email the auction team at [email protected].
Family Pizza Party!
Erika Reif, Director of Lifespan Faith Development
Tuesday, May 2, 5:30-7 p.m.
There’s one afternoon this coming week that is least likely to have rain and it’s Tuesday, so why not decide to have dinner on the front lawn with your First UU community! As part of candidating week, this will be an opportunity to meet Rev. Karen in a casual setting, but also a time to strengthen your ties with other First UU families, take a night off from cooking, and celebrate spring by playing outside. We’ll have outdoor toys on hand, but feel free to bring a favorite along. Youth Group parents, consider staying after dropping off your youth! 5th/6th families, plan to stay a little when you drop off kids for OWL!
RSVP’s are helpful so I know how much pizza to order, and how many should be GF or Vegan. ([email protected])
From the Ministerial Search Team
Tom Hyde
On May 7, we will vote on whether to call Rev. Karen G. Johnston as our next settled Senior Minister. What does that mean?
We are voting on whether we're willing to move into a shared ministry with Rev. Karen and what's best for the whole congregation.
If we vote to call Rev. Karen, she will start as our minister in August. If we don't call her, we'll find an interim minister, and a new search team for next year's search.
The UUA Transitions Office reminds congregations that we aren't being asked to judge whether we think, based on two sermons, that all the sermons the candidate preaches will speak perfectly to every member. Ministers come with different skills; none will be highly skilled in all elements of ministry, so we aren't deciding whether the candidate is the perfect minister. The congregation's shared ministry will shift with the skills and interests of a new minister.
Christina Fulton, Director of Operations & Finance
All members eligible to vote should have received a warning for the Special Congregational Meeting being held on Sunday, May 7. You may have noticed something strange about the label on your letter or maybe you didn't, but here is what happened. While printing labels from Realm, I chose to print only one label per household. When I started putting those labels on envelopes, I realized that household names were printed in many different ways. Some were printed to The Smith Family. Some were printed to John and Mary Smith. Some were to the Mary Smith Family. And several other versions. At that point, I couldn't take the time to try and figure out what happened because our by-laws require that the warning go out by a particular date. So I just used them. Please do not be offended by the label; it shouldn't happen again. Thank you for your understanding.
Christina Fulton
Family Faith Development Council -
Drop (or Zoom) In!
Margo Whitcomb, Faith Development Assistant
Thursday, May 11, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The more hands, the better, as we chart the course ahead for Faith Development programming. Parents, teachers, and other members with interest in programming for children and youth meet to provide vision and form community! Even if you have not attended before, we would love to hear from you. "Membership" in this council is casual and all are welcome to drop in - with input and ideas to grow the next generation. Join us in person at the Meeting House or click on the link to join by Zoom.
Large Pots & Pans Needed
Anne Judson & FUUSB Immigration Justice Team
The Vermont Refugee Resettlement program needs new and used large pots and pans in good condition for the new arrivals. Pots must have thick bottoms so the food doesn't burn the bottom.
No extra kitchen supplies right now, please. We are focusing on this main need.
Please place the pots and pans in the box in the alcove (in the first-floor hallway).
The Refugee Resettlement Program and its clients are extremely grateful for your donations.